Template for positioning strip material to be severed



Jan. 17, 1956 E. ZIMMERMAN ETAL 2,731,083

TEMPLATE FOR POSITIONING STRIP MATERIAL TO BE SEVERED Filed Feb. 9, 1955 h l l l l l l l l l l n l V panying drawing, in which:

United States Patent O TEMPLATE FOR POSITIONING STRIP MATERIAL TO BE SEVERED Eli Zimmerman and Henry L. Thompson, New I Iaveu, Coun., assignors to Sarong, Inc., a corporation of Connecticut Application February 9, 1953, Serial No. 335,834

Claims. (Cl. 164-59) The present invention relates to apparatus for cutting relatively narrow strip material into accurate predetermined sections. It is particularly adapted to cutting off sections from a continuous strip of tape such as tape bearing fastening elements, the sections being adapted for sewing onto garments as the closure means therefor.

In the interest of economy of manufacture, tapes of such character are commonly made initially in long continuous strips with the fastener elements such as hooks and eyes, snap fasteners and the like assembled thereon in accordance with a predetermined recurring pattern. The strips are then cut into successive sections of the desired appropriate length.

.lt has been common in the past for operators to cutV the sections with vshears using a simple means of measuring or gaging the sections. The severed sections, however, must be accurate as to length and with the fastener elements appropriately positioned, otherwise the final garment is defective. Particularly the complementary sections, that is for example the one carrying the hooks and the other the eyes, must be perfectly matched. Frequently the spacing of a fastener means is not uniform and there may be a'longer blank at one end of the section than at the other. Attempts to rely on a denite unit of length for the successive section results in inaccuraciesv due to stretching, accumulative errors and other factors. The use` of hand shears and haphazard gaging methods is cumbersome and slow and results inevitably in inaccuracies.

The present invention provides an apparatus which enables more rapid production, results in accuracy to a fullyl adequate degree and eliminates the need for skilledoperators or the exercise of extreme tedious care. The apparatus embodies a template means into which the tape may easily and rapidly be inserted, the template being associated in a particular relation with the guiding and severing means. The templates are readily removable andi'interchan'geable with other templates each appropriately shaped for a particular tape. The templates` have openings therein especially locatedv to receive the fastening elements of the tape to ensure that the correct section is severed with the fastening elements in the proper position thereon relative to the end parts and correctly related to the mating section having the complemental fastening elements. Despite its convenience, accuracy and eiciency, the apparatus is markedly simple. "'The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had tothe following detailed description taken in connection with the accom- Fig. l is a view inelevaton of substantially the complete apparatus;

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Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the template means at the left in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the template means take on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the guide means at the right in Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross section of the cutter means taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 1;

Fig. 7 is a plan View of a modified form of template adapted for a tape different from the one for which the template of Figure 2 is designed;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a template similar to that of Figure 7 designed for the complementary tape part; and Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

The particular form of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 embodies a suitable supporting bench or table shown generally at 10 upon which is mounted a normally fixed platform 11 supported on the table 10 by means of suitable brackets 12. At the right in Figure 1 is a somewhat similar platform 13 supported on the table A1) by brackets 14. The table 13 may be inclined as shown or arranged in any other manner suitable to the particular circumstances. Intermediate of the platforms 11 and 13 is a tape cutter means indicated generally at 15 which may be of any suitable type either power or manually operated. In the present instance it comprises a pair of shear blades one of which is lixed and the other adapted to be operated by a foot treadle. As specifically shown the shear means comprises a bracket 20 bolted onto the table 16, the bracket having an upstanding portion 21 in which is secured a stationary shear blade 22. The bracket also has an enlarged upwardly extending head 23 on which is supported the movable bracket 24 pivoted on the fixed head 23 through a suitable bolt means indicated at 25. The pivoted bracket 24 has a nger 26 upon which is secured a shear blade 27. The pivoted bracket 24 has integral therewith a lever arm 28 extending downwardly through an opening 29 in the table 10, the lever 28 having a treadle 30 at its lower end whereby the movable shear means may be conveniently foot operated.

The tape or like exible strip means may be fed to the apparatus from any suitable supply source which normally would comprise a roll of the tape as indicated at 35 at the right in Figure 1. The roll may be mounted on any suitable support. From the supply roll the tape 36 is fed through a guiding eye 37 to a further guide means indicated generally at 38, and through the cutter means 15 to a locating template indicated generally at 39.

The guide means 38 shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5 comprises a base plate 41 having guide ways for an adjustable plate 42. To provide the guiding means the fixed plate 41 has the side edges at the rear bent upwardly and over to form U-portions in cross section indicated at 43 and 43 which receive the corresponding edges of plate 42. Additionally the forward part of the plate 42 may have depending fingers 44 and 44 engaging against the edges 45 and 45 of the plate 41 as shown particularly in Figure 4. The rear portion of the plate 42 is provided with a slot 46 adapted to receive a screw pin 47 xed in the table 13 the upper end of the screw having a knurled nut 48 adapted to clamp-the plate 42 in suitably adjusted position. The forward edge of the plate 42 has a notch formed at its under surface as indicated at 49 in Figure 5. The plate 42 therefore has an edge portion 5G adapted to overlie the rear portion of tape 36, the extreme rear edge of the tape being adapted to engage against the shoulder formed by the notch 49.

Referring to the template means indicatedgenerally at 39 in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the particular details thereof may vary in accordance with such factors as the character of the tape and the type of fastener elements located thereon. Furthermore, as will be described more fully, the template is made readily removable and may be replaced by other templates each designed for a particular tape. The template shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 includes a base plate 6i) upon which are mounted suitable elements for locating the tape 36. In this particular form the plate 60 has secured on the portion at the right end thereof in Figures 1 and 2 an upper locating plate or strip 61 secured to the lower plate 6i? but spaced therefrom by a strip 62 as indicated in Figure 3. The upper plate 6i has formed therein notches 63 adapted to receive the fastener elements on the tape 36 here indicated as hooks 64. A metal strip 65 is also secured on the upper surface of plate 69 toward the front thereof. The strips 65 and 62 are spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the tape whereby the tape is guided iiatwise therebetween.

It will be apparent that the tape may be readily inserted edgewise and pressed down at with the fastener elements 6d located in the notches 63 of the upper strip 61 and the tape therefore definitely located as to position. As shown the template is provided with a locating means adapted to receive three of the fastener' elements 64 and the remaining portion of the particular section of tape extends to the left and occupies a more or less free position. However, the plate 66 may have suitable markings as indicated at 66 opposite the corresponding fastener elements and these markings may be accompanied by any desired legends such as numerals 1, 2, etc., corresponding to the number of fastener elements 64 on the particular section. Furthermore the length of the strip 61 having the locating notches may be varied to provide a different number of notches and it may have a different position longitudinally of the supporting plate 6i?. Normally two or three notches are adequate to insure the desired accuracy of the tape section being cut olf.

The supporting plate 60 has rectangular ribs 67 on its undersurface adapted to engage in cross slots 68 in the platform 11 and maintain the template in proper alignment but permit transverse adjustment of the template. The template is secured in the selected position by a suitable clamp comprising in the present illustration a bolt xed in the platform 11 and adapted to project upwardly through a slot 69 in the plate 6i), the bolt having a knurled nut 70 adapted to be screwed down onto the plate 60.

The template including the openings 63 for the fastener elements bear, of course, a denite relation to the point of shearing provided by the cutter means so that the proper length of tape is severed with the fastener elements in appropriate relation to the end limits of the section. The'tape as initially formed in a long continuous strip has a definite repeating pattern of the fastener elements thereon. The operation may be accomplished rapidly and easily. The operator grasps the forward end of the tape and pulls it forward, the tape running freely through the guide means 37 and 38. The forward end of the tape is advanced to the approximate proper position as indicated by the mark 66 farthest to the left and the operator with the right hand then pushes the tape edgewise into the slot under the plate 61 with the hooks 64 positioned in the respective slots 63. The operator then severs the section by pushing with the foot on the treadle 3i).

As indicated the template shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is designed particularly for the tape having thereon the hook elements 64. By simple changes, however, the template may be readily adapted for the complementary tape bearing the eyes for the fastener means, or a different appropriate template may be readily substituted by merely releasing the thumb nut 7%.

The template means just described is representative of one which is used with a relatively long tape section embodying thereon eight fastener elements. Figure 7 shows a template which may be substituted, adapted for a shorter section and with different spacing of the elements. The template shown in Figure 7 includes a base plate 71 provided with bottom ribs 72 adapted to t in the slots 68 of the platform 1i and provided with a slot 73 at the rear edge adapted to receive the clamping screw. The upper surface of the plate 71 has secured thereto an upper strip 7d. This strip may correspond in general to that indicated at 61 and 62 in Figure 3 and is adapted to provide a slot in which the rear edge of the tape 75 is adapted to engage, the strip 74 having a forward edge portion 74a overlying the strip 75. This edge 74a has formed therein suitable notches 76 adapted to receive the hooks 77 on the tape 75. lf desired the upper surface of the plate 71 may have secured thereto a further guiding strip similar to the strip 65 shown in Figure 3.

Figures 8 and 9 show a modification of the template of Figure 7 to adapt it for use in cutting off sections of the tape bearing the eye fastener elements complementary to the tape sections cut by means of the template of Figure 7. The template of Figures 8 and 9 may be obtained by using the same base plate 71 and substituting different locating strips thereon. The locatiing strips in this case comprise a spacer strip Si), a thin strip 81 thereover and a top strip 82. The front edge of the intermediate strip 81 has notches 83 adapted to receive the eyes 84 on the tape S5. The eyes are of course relatively thin and lie close to the tape as distinguished from the more prominent hooks 77 on the tape 75. Accordingly the template for the tape 85 preferably includes not only the thin strip S1 but in addition the top strip 82 which further overlies the tape and has enlarged notches adapted to expose to view the locating notches 83 of the intermediate strip Si. The thickness of the particular tape 85 in the present case includes a fabric strip 86 which is stitched over the ends of the eyes 84 and when the tape is inserted in the template as shown it underlies the top metal strip 32 of the template.

It will be apparent that the templates shown in the drawings are illustrative only and that different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof and it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

l. ln an apparatus for cutting oft successive sections of continuous tape material having fastener elements secured to one face thereof in accordance with a predetermined spacing pattern, a template mounted on said apparatus adapted to receive and position the leading end of said tape, said template having a slot extending longitudinally of the tape with an open side edge into which the tape may be laterally inserted, the slot having a part overhanging the tape with an opening therein adapted to receive a said element to position longitudinally the tape, said template being readily detachable for the substitution of other templates appropriate respectively to different tape material, a tape severing means located in the direction of tape supply from said template, and guide means for the tape positioned between said severing means and the source of supply.

2. In an apparatus for cutting off successive like sections of tape from an endless strip thereof said strip having fastener elements secured to one face thereof in accordance with a predetermined spacing pattern, a template mounted on said apparatus having a slot extending in the normal direction of advance of the strip with an open side edge adapted to enable the lateral insertion of the tape into the slot, said slot having a longitudinally extending part adapted to overlie the strip with a plurality of openings in the edge of said part appropriately spaced to receive concurrently a fastener element in each, and a tape severing means mounted in the direction of tapesupply from said template, said template and the said openings therein having a predetermined relation with respect to the severing means to ensure the cutting o6 of successive desired like sections of the tape.

3. In an apparatus for cutting off successive like sections of tape from an endless strip thereof said stripf having fastener elements secured to one face thereof in accordance with a predetermined spacing pattern, a template mounted on said apparatus having a slot extending in the normal direction of advance of the strip with an open side edge adapted to enable the lateral insertion of the tape into the slot, said slot having a longitudinally extending part adapted to overlie the strip with a plurality of openings in the edge of said part appropriately spaced to receive concurrently a fastener element in each, means for guiding the tape through the apparatus to said template and a tape severing means mounted in the direction of tape supply from said template, said template and the said openings therein. having a predetermined rela tion with respect to the severing means to ensure the cutting off of successive predetermined like sections of the tape, and said template having a readily detachable mounting means thereby to enable the ready substitution. of other templates appropriate respectively to diterent strip material.

4. In an apparatus for cutting off successive sections of continuous strip tape material having fastener elements mounted on one face thereof in accordance with a predetermined spacing pattern, a platform over which the tape is adapted to be drawn from a source of supply, means for guiding and supporting the tape on said platreceive concurrently a fastener element in each, and tape severing means mounted between said template and the source of tape supply, said template and the openings therein having a predetermined relation with respect to 6 the severing means to ensure the cutting off of succesform including a member providing an elongated shoulder extending in the direction of the strip against which the edge of the strip may be laterally engaged, and a template having a part adapted to overlie the tape while in engagement'with said shoulder and provided with openings in the edge thereof appropriately spaced to sive appropriate like sections of the tape.

5./In an apparatus for cutting off successive sections of continuous strip tape material having fastener elements mounted on one face thereof in accordance with a predetermined spacing pattern, a platform over which the tape is adapted to be drawn from a source of supply, means for guiding and supporting the tape on said platform including a template mounted on said platform having a slot extending in the normal direction of advance of the strip with an open side adapted to enable the lateral insertion of the strip into the slot, said slot having a rear shoulder against which the strip is adapted to be engaged and said template having a part adapted to overhang the strip with a plurality of openings in the edge appropriately spaced to receive concurrently a fastener element in each, and tape severing means mounted between said template and the source of tape supply, said template and the openings therein having a predetermined relation with respect to the severing means to ensure the cutting ot of successive appropriate like sections of the tape.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 223,676 Kelley Jan. 20, 1880 805,104 Tefft et al. Nov. 21, 1905 1,310,736 Blau July 22, 1919 1,885,169 Altvater Nov. 1, 1932 2,059,344 Hardenbrook Nov. 3, 1936 

